User Ratings & Reviews

On draft at the Maple Shade Barrels, Bourbon and Bugs event. From the menu: "Brewed in collaboration with Casey Hughes of Flying Fish Brewery. An Imperial Black Belgian IPA. Loads of American hop bitterness, aroma and flavor mingling with fruity and spicy characters from Fish's house Belgian yeast and all balanced by a touch of roast. Aged in a used bourbon barrel on 40 pounds of sour cherries for four months." Good friend drabmuh has informed me he'll be flagging this review regardless of what style I enter it as, because seriously... "Sour Cherry Bourbon Barrel Imperial Belgian Black IPA???"

Unsurprisingly this was one of the most interesting beers of the day. Pours a clear dark near-black brown with a thin tan head. Nose is heavy with chocolate and cherry, mildly tart, with strong roast malt and light sweet bourbon. Most of the Belgian yeast and spice is suppressed by the treatment. Surprising roast malt and bitterness in the flavor, like a typical american black ale. Again the Belgian characteristics are trace at best like the nose. Finish gives way to a slightly sour cherry fruitiness and chocolatey bourbon barrel warmth. Could have been a train wreck and I'm not sure how often I'd like to try this, but for a novelty it was very good.